Revamp/Relief

Well, I am in the 2nd week of the back room revamp. Things are looking great! I have found a few more homeschooling supplies this past week on etsy.

VERY excited to find:

1. An old mancala board: for color and shape sorting exercises.

2. assorted scrabble tiles: for spelling and word games

3. monopoloy money: for math and counting.

4. antique fishing creels/baskets: for storage

5. animals masks w/ tails: for make believe play

I am planning on spray painting the boys baskets from their old nursery at some point tomorrow. Cherry Red, Summer Squash Yellow, Canoe Blue. Then I'll start reorganizing the last of the toys and begin emptying out the closet to make way for the boy's reading nook.

The hunt for wallpaper continues...

I am relieved to be in the midst of this project right now, for many reasons. It is, of course, always freeing to clean out your life and let go of things you don't need. Secondly, making the most of our small space for my boy's needs is always a valuable use of my time. Lastly, I really needed to be working on something this week with my hands.

Many of you know our dear friend, K.B., who was in a terrible accident last Wednesday. My Mother has been up in North Carolina, at her hospital bedside, for the past week. We are still waiting for her to wake up.

I know God is in control. I know he has her name written on the palm of his hand. I know the Spirit is interceding for her and for us as we pray and breathe her name over and over again to him. I know that only he can restore her vitality, her energy, her passion, her ability to be. She was tenderly knitted together in her mother's womb. She is both guided and guarded. She is his beloved. She is not forgotten. No one and nothing can snatch her away.

I am holding on to these truths.

And yet, my mind and my hands are yearning for busyness. Because my heart hurts. Because sometimes it is easier to pray and breathe a name over and over and over again, when your hands are filled with a task.

Kids Worship/Scripture Memory

I rarely ever tote product recommendations on this blog. This space is really a scrapbook of memories for my kids to look back upon one day...

However...

I must break form this once to share about Seeds Family Worship.

You can read all about them on their website.

Essentially, worship music for children designed to aid in the memorization of scripture.

They have 6 CDs each with a different theme (i.e. courage, faith, encouragement, etc). Every song is a different passage of scripture. Sign me up.

My favorite part about it all? (Aside from my kids memorizing scripture). Each CD you purchase comes with two identical CDs. This way you can rip the packet in half and minister to someone in your life by giving them a free CD.

:)

DIY Summer

Ahhh summer!!!

Not too big a change for us since its always hot, J is always in school and the boys are never in school. And yet, I feel the need to have at least one great summer-worthy activity each day for my kiddos AND lest I get lazy, an endless stream of sewing/building projects. I've all ready completed six projects (YES!) and I'll be posting those later.

This post is dedicated to the items on my to-do list.

First and foremost, the kids playroom/our living room needed a revamp. This room will be the main hutch for our homeschool activities and it needed a fresh breath of creativity and life. I painted our coffee table and the half wall under the counter top with chalk board paint. Hello instant blackboard and writing table for my boys to practice their writing!

Speaking of writing, the boys are really getting the hang of their letters. I managed to find a great wall set of letters on etsy for the boys. It arrives in a few weeks! I love that the letter O is a giant button.

This next week I'll be sewing new slip covers for our pillows and my rocking chair. Necessary because after three years of toddlers the fabrics were looking a bit hairy.

I found several variations of these fun madras/patchwork prints at JoAnn Fabrics at half off!

Hooray!!! I'll be spray painting a few baskets in cheerful colors and adding new shelving, alphabet charts, maps and a few other homeschool knick knacks. My goal was to get the whole room done on a budget and I met the goal. (

Next we move on to the boy's room. They have a very narrow walk in closet that I have affectionately titled the junk room. I have had three babies in three years, folks, so there are many many boxes of supplies, clothing, shoes, and unused items under the category: "Why Did We Register For This?" stacked high. The majority will go to Good Will or sent on to friends who could make use of our items. I want an EMPTY closet. Why, do I want an empty closet?

So I can make a reading nook.

I've been debating for a few weeks now on wether or not to go for it. The Bear LOVES...no...CRAVES quiet time and small spaces. This is a perfect little shelter to escape the hustle and bustle and curl up with a book. I won't be doing everything in the above picture. This is just an IDEA of what is to come. I'll probably be wall papering the inside in a fun print (stripes to match the Dr Seuss theme?) and then going from there.

There is more!!

First of all, my grandmother has generously decided to gift me my great grandmother's sewing machine. This has me elated for many reasons. Among them, I loved Meme and miss her. Having something of hers that she used to often is really special to me. Secondly, the machine is an antique. Lastly, I am not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way I started sewing quite a lot! The following projects are my big summer sewing projects. This machine will be put to good use!

Felt globe for homeschool room. Love the little suitcase and the moveable features of the various countries.

Tablecloth fort. Thank you, to whoever had this idea. The bungalow is small and cozy with no room for a play house. This is a GREAT option for us. Plus, I really was not a fan of the kids getting stains on my bedsheets every time they went "camping" under our table.

Puppet theater. Genius. Found some great ticking gingham fabric at JoAnn's (another steal!)

Lastly, the all important dinosaur tail belts. These are well under way!

I can't wait to have these all finished and see my boys romping around with this stuff. I love creating things that stimulate their imaginations. These little guys are each so special in their own way. I'm really looking forward to this DIY Summer of 11'.

Sigh

You know I love every minute of it. (x's 3!!!)

Laundry

We must own 2 billion pairs of tiny socks.

That is all.

Summer Study/ABCs of God

I thought long and hard about how to keep up my daily Bible study and time with Jesus this summer. Somedays, its really challenging to block out my time for Him. I always pray that God would protect and guard that precious quiet time with him, but as my BSF teaching leader said to us two years ago, "We do what we want to do." Which means that I can pray for protected quiet time all I want but if I am not actively desiring and wanting God, then odds are...I won't be doing my Bible study.

A few weeks before BSF ended I started wondering how I could study the Bible this summer with my children. I have always wanted to learn the attributes of God and my mother in law mentioned a study sheet she once worked through with the attributes of God listed through the ABCs.

Bingo.

I did some research and found a few resources that looked promising. Most, like the ABCS of God by Children Desiring God, target 1st through 3rd grade. A few others had short memory verses to help drive each letter.

I compiled a scope and sequence from Children Desiring God that I found online with a worksheet of verses and then added a few references I wanted to cover.

By the way, if you would like to order the ABCs of God from Children Desiring God, I have heard excellent things about the lessons (there are 40 in total) and you can order them here. This curriculum does not go through the attributes in alphabetical order and also includes some topical lessons like, knowing God and trusting God. If your children are of age and you have the money to purchase it...GO FOR IT!!

Since my children are younger I will work a bit to modify the list and make it a bit more age appropriate. Meaning that I will work from certain aspects of the corresponding scriptures and if I have worthy materials, I will substitute them for the passage. For example, rather than read 10 chapters about the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis, will use the shorthand story from The Jesus Storybook Bible. If you are interested in doing this compiled study, I have added it below! (Note: Some letters have more than one attribute!)

My basic plan is to run through a few letters each week for the rest of the summer. I purchased a large poster board that we are hanging in the dining room. We'll be writing out the letters and adding pictures or nature finds or what God has shown/taught us. I'll also utilize my felt board and felt pieces for any of the corresponding Bible stories in the compiled list. (I'll be posting pictures of our progress!)

The Bear memorized the pledge of allegiance without my knowing it this past year. He proved to be capable of memorizing and so we will work on memorizing select scriptures from this list together. I know he can do it! :) Added bonus: I'll be learning and memorizing right alongside him.

I plan on working this study with them daily during our daytime meals. Meaning that we will read the story and concept at breakfast, then have applications during playtime where I'll try to work in what we learned over breakfast into our outdoor romps and indoor quiet times. Over lunch we'll talk about what they learned and what they think about the study so far.

The point is not to drill them or overwhelm them with passages. But rather to provide daily exposure to scripture, discuss and nurture their growing knowledge of God, and to demonstrate a faithful walk and loving relationship with Jesus.

The final component is perhaps the most difficult to keep up. I'll be praying each night for the next day's lesson. I've seen Jesus instruct my children in miraculous ways and I BELIEVE that he can not be limited. I'll be asking him for wisdom as I teach my children about Him and for his grace in the greater learning I am trying to establish in my home.

Are you planning anything with your kids this summer? If you are, please share! I would love to learn from you!

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ATTENTIVE

• Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are

attentive to their cry.

God is constantly watching and acting in the world.

ALMIGHTY

• Jeremiah32:18b-19a O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD

Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.

God is All-Poweful

(Exodus 7-11 or Jesus Storybook Bible/ The Ten Plagues)

BOUNTIFUL

• Ephesians 3:20-21a Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly

beyond all that we ask of think... to Him be glory.

Jesus is more than enough to satisfy all our desires!

(Jesus feeds the 4000 Mark 8)

(The Woman at the Well John 4)

C CREATOR

• Isaiah 44:24b I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out

the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself.

God has made all things

(Genesis 1)

DELIVERER

• 1 Timothy 1:15a It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

God saves his people from his wrath. (Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19)

ETERNAL

• Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and

the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

God has no beginning or end. (John 1)

FAITHFUL

• Joshua 23:14 You know with all your heart and sould that not one of all the good

promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been

fulfilled.

God always does what he says he will do. (Matthew 1/The Birth of Jesus)

GOOD

• Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.

Mark 10:18b No one is good except God alone.

Everything God is and does is good.

GLORIOUS

• Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of

His hands.

• Romans 1:20a For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – His

eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen

God shows his greatness and worth.

(Moses and the Glory of God Exodus 33)

HOLY –

• Isaiah 40:25 “To whom will you compare Me? Or who is My equal?” says the

Holy One.

God is like no one else--he is completely holy and separate from sin. (Isaiah 6- Isaiah sees the Presence of God)

INCOMPREHENSIBLE

• Romans 11:34 Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His

counselor

God is more than we can fully understand. (Highlights from Job 38-41)

JEALOUS

• Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD, that is My name! I will not give My glory to another

or My praise to idols.

God will not share his greatness and worth. (The Ark of the Covenant and Dagon 1 Samuel 5)

KING

• Psalm 47:7a-8 For God is the King of all the earth – God reigns over the nations.

God is seated on His Holy throne.

God rules over everyone. (Israel asks God for a king 1 Samuel 8)

LOVE

• Psalm 37:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire

besides You.

Love is the overflow of joy that God has in himself. (Jesus and Zacchaeus Luke 19)

MERCIFUL

• Psalm 145:8 The LORD is merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.

• Psalm 103:10a He does not treat us as our sins deserve.

God is kind to undeserving sinners (The Prodigal Son Luke 15)

NEVER-TIRING

• Isaiah 40:28b The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the

earth. He will not grow tired or weary.

God never gets tired or weary (Highlights from the life of Jeremiah/Jeremiah 8-31)

OMINICIENT /OMNIPRESENT

• Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is

uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

• Jeremiah 23:24 “Can anyone hid in secret places so that I cannot see him?”

declares the LORD. “ Do I not fill heaven and earth?”

God is everywhere all the time and knows everything. (The Passover Exodus 11-12)

(Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5)

PROVIDER

• Acts 17:25b He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

God meets the needs of his creation. (Exodus 16 Manna from Heaven)

PATIENT

• 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand

slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to

come to repentance.

God is slow to anger and slow to punish (The Flood Genesis 6-7)

QUESTIONS HAVE ANSWERS

• Isaiah 46:9b I am God and there is no other I am God and there is none like Me.

God gave us the Bible to help answer questions like: Who is God? How should I act towards him?

RIGHTEOUS

• Deuteronomy 32:4 His work is perfect, for all His ways are just... Righteous and

upright is He.

Everything God thinks, says and does is right. (The Temptation of Jesus Matthew 4)

REFUGE

• Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it

and are safe.

God is a place of safety and shelter for his people. (Psalm 46, 2Samuel 22)

SOVEREIGN

• Isaiah 46:10b My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:11b

What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

God has the right, the power, and the wisdom to do all that he pleases. (Crossing the Red Sea Exodus 13-14)

SELF-SUFFICIENT

• Acts 17:25 And He is not served by human hands as if He needed anything,

because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

God doesn't need anything (God defeats the armies of Moab and Ammon 2 Chronicles 20)

TRINITY/TRIUNE

• Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

God is three persons in one. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

UNCHANGING

• Malachi 3:6a I, the LORD, do not change.

God never changes. (Israel's kings after David/ Highlights 1Kings 10-22)

VICTORIOUS

• Zephaniah 3:17a The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.

God always wins ---even over Satan, sin and death. (The Resurrection Matthew 27-28)

WORTHY

• Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor

and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have

their being.

God deserves all love, honor, praise obedience and glory (The Pearl of Great Price Matthew 13)

WRATHFUL

• Romans 1:18a The wrath of God is being reveald from heaven against all the

godlessness and wickedness of men. Nahum 1:6b Who can endure His fierce

anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before Him.

God is very angry at sin (Jesus in the Temple/ John 2)

WISE

• Psalm 104:24a How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom You made them

all.

God causes everything to work out perfectly (The life of Joseph/ Genesis 37, 39-45)

EXALTED

• Psalm 97:9 For You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are

exalted far above all gods

God ranks far above everything else--He is most high! (The Tower of Babel/Genesis 1)

YHWH (LORD)

• Isaiah 42:8a I am the LORD; that is my name. Psalm 9:10a Those who know

Your name will trust in You.

God desire to make his name known (The Burning Bush/ Exodus 3)

ZEALOUS

• Isaiah 42:13 The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior He will

stir up His zeal... and triumph over His enemies.

God does everything with strength and determination for his name's sake! (The Triumphal Entry/Matthew 21)

BSF Sharing Day Testimony

Today was Sharing Day at BSF. Our last meeting for the book of Isaiah. I had a few friends ask me for copies of what I shared with our group and so I am posting it here. I left out the names of my children on this space for safety reasons.

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I'd like to share with you today about how God has used BSF in my life and in the lives of my three children ages 3, 2 and 6 months.

I'll start by saying that a few years ago, I fully planned on waiting to share God with my children. I would teach them right from wrong and a few little songs and verses, but for the most part, I didn't want to burden their minds with all the weight of the Bible & God. I truly believed that they couldn't handle it all. That was the plan. I drew the line in the sand before my little ones and told God to stay put on the other side until I gave the all clear sign.

Then BSF happened. My eldest boys, age 3 and age 2, lovingly call BSF "BEEF" and they would chant that name on our way to and from BSF. They started learning about God. They started learning about the Bible.

In the fall we began Isaiah. J and I prayed to God and asked him to help us make BSF a priority for ourselves and our children. We prayed that He would protect our quiet time.

I was 5 months pregnant when our study of Isaiah began. After week 1 of the study, my little baby boy started fussing and trying to make an early entrance into this world. We had conceived our boy three weeks after I had a miscarriage and we found out I was pregnant while I was in the hospital after a bad accident. The Doctors had told me then that the chances of having a healthy baby were slim. Once the pre- term contractions started, we went to our ultrasound appt, bracing ourselves for terrible news.

Our little boy was perfect, completely healthy! But I was told that I had to stay flat on my back for the remainder of my pregnancy.

I begged to have one outing once a week.

They grumbled but agreed.

I picked BSF.

Every week, my husband would help me to the car, pack in our little toddlers and drive us to BSF. He would help see us to our classrooms and then come back for us after the lecture.

My baby grew every week in the quiet stillness of my room that had me nearly clawing at the walls with boredom. But once a week, we would go to BSF and he would hear the sounds of hymns, discussions with my group and Barabara's lecture. It was the light and joy of my week. With each false labor and early contraction I would pray, "Lord, please protect my baby. Help me and the boys get to BSF this week so we can learn more about you."

Every Monday my womb would contract and contract, keeping me awake and nearly breathless. But by Tuesday night, the Lord would move his hand and quiet my body, just in time for BSF.

So we kept at it. I felt constantly challenged to share more with my boys. God used BSF in a mighty way to show me, without question, that my children needed no protection from him or his word. Even the difficult passages of Isaiah, like our lengthy history studies with Hezekiah, were no match for Jesus teaching my sons. I caught my eldest boy, playing a super hero game one day. The villain of his game? Someone called "Snacks-on-ribs."

WHO? I wondered for some minutes till it hit me. Sennacherib! O how the mighty king had fallen!

My two year old would wander around the house saying things like, "Jesus is my friend."

Every night before bed we would lead the boys in prayer saying "Jesus, fill me with your Spirit and help me to walk in you ways."

We would catch them singing songs we had never taught them.

The two year old would sing each day, "good morning God this is your day, I am your child, show me your way."

Last week as I walked my three year old to the car after his lesson, I asked what he had learned about.

"The new heaven and the new earth!" he replied.

"What will it be like?" I asked.

"It will be BEEF every day!!!!! I'll get to play with Mrs. Debbie and Mrs. Alice in a forest with Jesus and have sprinkled cupcakes!"

Yes, the boys were experiencing great love and joy.

On Wed. November 3rd, after 77 hours of labor, our baby was born peacefully in our home at 2AM. I jokingly told my husband, "He made it in time for me to go to BSF later today." My husband and our midwife responded by threatening to strap me to the bed.

The next Wed, my seven day old baby and I came to BSF. He remained with me for my discussion group and lectures for 10 weeks. All the while the older boys attended their classes and kept learning and growing. God had all ready broken so many of my little boundaries, but he was about to break the biggest one yet.


One day, when Baby was 10 weeks old, he started fussing in his crib. I leaned over him and tried singing a few nursery songs without any response from him. For whatever reason, I switched over to a few hymns. I began singing, "Join all the glorious names" which was our hymn last year during the John study when I was first pregnant with him.

He stopped crying, looked me right in the eyes and let out a string of coos and gurgles. He began kicking and wriggling and smiling. He recognized the song.

I switched over to "Immortal, Invisible." He shrieked with joy! I wept at the wonder of my God. My tiny boy, surrounded by the voices of hundreds of women each week, had learned to worship. He had felt God's love.

Our God who can measure a spread of mountains with the tips of his fingers. A God who sees our oceans like a tiny drop of water in a bucket. A God who looked at the line I had drawn in the sand and mercifully, ignored my foolish arrogance and walked right over and into the lives of my children.

3 days later I heard the baby crying in the front room, as I walked in his direction I caught the tail end of a little person's conversation with Jesus.

".....help him not to be sad or scared or hurting, Jesus. You always keep your promises and you'll be with him. Help my little brother. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

I walked in and saw my three year old kneeling over the baby. His eyes squeezed tight, his little face titled heavenward.

It all changed for me that day. I prepared myself to start teaching my children in a whole new way. I started praying that God would give me wisdom with my words and energy to teach them as often as possible about him.

Barbara told us a few weeks back that we are not responsible for the consequences of our obedience.

Well, I decided to obey and began to Deuteronomy 6* our household. Coming, going, sitting, standing, binding his word on my heart, wearing it on my forehead, tying it to my wrists.

Guess what?

The kids are ok.

In fact, they are more than ok. They know Jesus.

This year for Easter, I prayed something different.

Lord, I am going to obey you and share your story with my boys. I leave the consequences of this in your hands. Help me, guide me, and give me wisdom.

(You can read our Easter story here)

We saw the first evidence of a consequence for our obedience four days after Easter.

The three year old woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night. Before I could even start comforting him he said, "Mom, Jesus is here. He is taking care of me. He has victory. Jesus is with me."

Thats his motto now after a scary thought or bad nightmare: "Jesus is with me."

My challenge for you concerns the little person in your life. Maybe you have set a boundary or limited God in some way. Maybe you are scared of presenting it the wrong way. Know that God is mighty. Mighty to save and mighty to handle your little lamb. Mighty to give you words and full of grace for the days when you feel exhausted.

I found that my children learn about God in a way that I can't anymore. They are free from so many of the worlds lies and bindings still, their innocence allows them to soak in truth so much more deeply. They drink to the dredges of the well and are filled completely, while I alternate between drinking so fast that I choke or sipping so cautiously that I thirst. I encourage you, open the well to your children. Do it freely and do it soon!

Thank you to my children's leaders. Thank you for your love and prayers and support. Thank you for your loving, guiding hands. Thank you for filling my son's mouths with the word of God. You have planted seeds in their lives and all ready I see the saplings of truth sprouting, rooted firmly in God's word.. Thank you so much.

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Deuteronomy 6:4-9

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.^[a]5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Alarm Clock

I opened my eyes this morning and saw four men in my bed. The smallest one tucked against my side, clad only in a diaper. He was soft and warm, letting out little cooing noises and gurgles of happiness. J sat on the edge of the bed, two bed head little boys on his lap. Cubby held out a gift for me.

An alarm clock.

I laughed. My little alarm clock handing me an actual alarm clock.

The Bear gave me the card and J added that we would be driving to the garden center after church to pick up a new rose bush for Mother's Day.

We snuggled under the covers for a bit.

The Bear came to my side and I tucked him under the blankets with me and cradled him close. His cheek pressed up against mine. His cold little toes digging under my legs, searching out warmth.

"Mom, I am going to keep you."

J and I laughed. "Keep me?" I asked.

"Yes. For my collection!"

"What collection?" asked J.

"My dinosaur collection" the Bear responded.

Quite the honor to be singled out as an acceptable addition to his all important dinosaur collection.

J prodded a bit more, "Is that because she is your Mommyosaurus?"

"NO!!!!" The Bear cried, "She...is.....a.....girl."

I kissed him.

"You are so beautiful Mom. You are like Barbie."

I laughed again. "Barbie?"

A definite first for me since I have brown hair and short legs and no torso to speak of.

"You are the most beautiful girl in the my whole life-world and I LOVE YOU!!!"

Oh boy, was he ever in for it.

I proceeded to thoroughly kiss the daylights out of him while he giggled and kissed me back.

All my boys have been sweet as pie today. Even the four legged one is cutting me some slack.

I love my new alarm clock. Yes, J got it for me because I am so sluggish in the morning and have a notoriously difficult time rising. But even with gentle teasing of this gift, I see a perfect reminder of my boys.

They awakened my heart and soul to the beauty of grace and love. They forced me to look deeply into the word of God. They humbled me and brought me endless, boundless joy...even early in the morning.

Happy Mother's Day!